Method And Device For Cleaning Teeth

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/890,083, filedAug. 3, 2007, now pending, which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/872,016, filed on Jun. 18, 2004, now pending, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/662,237, filed on Sep. 15,2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,717, which issued on Apr. 11, 2006, whichwas the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP01/02844,filed Mar. 14, 2001. This application is also a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/872,075, filed on Jun. 18, 2004, now pending,which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/241,274, filedon Sep. 10, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,080, which issued on Apr. 24,2007, and which claims the benefit under 35 USC 119 of a priorityapplication filed in Germany serial number 10159395.3, filed on Dec. 4,2001, the entire disclosures and contents of each of these applicationsare incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates to a method for cleaning teeth by means of anelectric dental cleaning device having coupled to its handle sectionvarious cleaning tools for the individual tooth cleaning of the users ofthe dental cleaning device. The present invention further relates to thehandle section of an electric dental cleaning device, in particulartoothbrush, which possesses a coupling section for the coupling of avariety of cleaning tools, a drive mechanism for driving the respectivecoupled cleaning tool, and a control device. The present inventionfinally relates to the cleaning tools, particularly brush attachments,for such a handle section.

Dental cleaning devices such as electric toothbrushes or electric oralirrigators customarily have a grip or a handle section to which avariety of cleaning tools such as brush attachments are attachable, thusenabling several users to use the dental cleaning device with their own,user-related cleaning tools. Such electric toothbrushes are known, forexample, from DE 19627752 A1 or EP 0624079 B1. To meet the users' wishesand requirements with regard to the cleaning of their teeth, therespective user has the possibility of individually adjusting dentalcleaning parameters as, for example, the strength of the water jet oforal irrigators or the speed of the brush attachments of electrictoothbrushes.

From DE 299 15 858 U1 a dental cleaning device is known in which each ofthe different toothbrushes can be inserted only into its assignedreceptacle in a console. This then starts the program provided for thisparticular toothbrush. Particularly children find it however difficultto locate the individual opening for insertion of their personaltoothbrush and for mating engagement of the plug. Furthermore, thisconsole involves high complexity of manufacture, considering that itrequires the provision of a plurality of different receptacles and eachof the toothbrushes has a different plug assigned to its own receptacle.

In a further device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,959, each handtoothbrush is assigned its own accommodating slot in a housing, so thateach toothbrush can be assigned an individual brushing time signal viathe housing. This arrangement is very elaborate from the manufacturingpoint of view without providing for the detection and storage ofuser-specific data of the tooth cleaning operation.

Such dental cleaning devices are capable of improvement on many counts.In particular it is desirable to further improve the possible adaptationto the users as well as the user friendliness.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved method for cleaning teeth, an improved handle section of anelectric dental cleaning device and/or improved cleaning tools therefor,which further develop the cleaning of teeth relative to the prior artand afford further advantages. In particular, the invention aims tofurther improve the adaptation to the individual users as well as theuser friendliness.

With regard to the method aspects, according to the invention thisobject is substantially accomplished in a tooth cleaning method of thetype initially referred to in that a coding provided on the respectivecleaning tool used is detected by the handle section preferablyautomatically and that, in dependence upon the detected coding, thehandle section controls dental cleaning parameters preferablyautomatically and/or detects user-specific dental cleaning datapreferably automatically. Preferred embodiments of the invention are thesubject-matter of the subclaims.

With regard to the device aspects, according to the invention the objectreferred to is substantially accomplished in a handle section of anelectric dental cleaning device of the type initially referred to inthat the handle section possesses a coding detection device to detect anindividual coding of the particular cleaning tool attached to the handlesection, as well as a control device for the control of at least onefunction of the dental cleaning device in response to the detectedcoding. With regard to the cleaning tool of the type initially referredto, the object is substantially accomplished in that it possesses amagnetic, electrical, capacitive, electromagnetic and/or mechanicalcoding device or a combination of such coding devices. Preferredembodiments of the invention regarding the device are likewise thesubject-matter of dependent claims.

Accordingly, the handle section detects the cleaning tool just attachedand controls, in dependence upon the detected cleaning tool, one orpreferably more functions of the dental cleaning device. Assuming, ofcourse, that each handle section user uses his or her own, user-relatedcleaning tool, the control device of the handle section in particular iscapable of establishing automatically, by referring to the codingdetected on the cleaning tool, the identity of the user currently usingthe dental cleaning device. There is no need for any user input as, forexample, a fingertip pressure and the like to inform the dental cleaningdevice of its current user. Hence an automatic adaptation to therespective user can also be made. This results in a maximum of userfriendliness.

In particular in a further feature of the invention the control deviceis capable of adapting operating parameters such as cleaning frequency,cleaning speed and cleaning time or threshold value or desired range ofapplication pressure automatically to the individual user identified. Avariety of user profiles can be set and stored, one of which is put touse by the control device after the coding of the cleaning tool beingused has been detected at the beginning of the cleaning operation and,hence, the respective user has been established. To this effect thecoding detection device issues a corresponding signal to the controldevice. Where electric toothbrushes are used, it is possible, forexample, for the motor speed to be reduced from the usual speed foradults when a child is the user, so that a gentler tooth cleaningoperation is performed for the child. In addition, the control devicemay vary, responsive to a signal from the coding detection device, theduration of a timer according to the user identified, setting the timerto two minutes for children and to three minutes for adults, forexample. The type of timer signal could also be modified, as byselecting a tune for children and a buzzer tone for adults.

In a further aspect of the invention it is also possible to store,process and indicate as on a display user-specific data such as cleaningfrequency, cleaning speed, cleaning time, time interval between cleaningoperations or application pressure automatically in response to acorresponding signal from the detection device. This too results inenhanced user comfort.

The handle section hence detects, i.e., identifies, the individual userindirectly by referring to the cleaning tool used or its coding becauseeach user is assigned to one or more cleaning tools of his or her own.For this purpose the cleaning tools, which otherwise may be of identicalconstruction, may have user-specific coding elements.

Provision may also be made for a specific function control in dependenceupon the particular type of cleaning tool used. For instance, operatingparameters of the handle section may be varied automatically when abrush attachment with specific properties such as high or low hardnessis used. Equally, another operating program may be run when a cleaningtool of different type as, for example, an interproximal cleaning tool,a tool for gum massage or a tongue cleaner is attached to the handlesection. Rotational speed, desired cleaning time, driving motion,cleaning frequency, cleaning speed, application pressure thresholdvalue, etc. can be suitably adapted in response to the individualcleaning tool and/or user.

Still further, by identifying an individual cleaning tool it is possibleto establish its state of wear, for example, by determining andevaluating the time of past uses or cleaning operations of thisparticular cleaning tool. Where cleaning tools with chemical additivesare used, their “use by” date can be identified by the date ofmanufacture hidden in the coding. Predetermined cleaning or maintenanceintervals can also be indicated.

A variety of approaches are possible for the detection of the codingprovided directly on the cleaning tools as well as the coding of thecleaning tools.

In particularly simple manner the cleaning tool is coded by its shape.It may possess one or several shaped bodies which are connected to thebody of the cleaning tool fixedly or formed integrally therewith and liein the range of detection of the coding detection device of the handlesection when the cleaning tool is coupled to the handle section. Thecoding may embody a specific geometrical outer contour and/or a specificspatial arrangement of the shaped body relative to the coupling sectionof the cleaning tool and ultimately to the coding detection device onthe handle section. Detection of the shaped body or bodies may beperformed in noncontacting fashion using, for example, light barriers orthe like.

In an embodiment of the invention the coding device of each cleaningtool is brought into mechanical contact with the coding detectiondevice, enabling it to read the coding. This results in a particularlystraightforward construction.

The handle section may include a scanning device for scanning the codingprovided on the respective cleaning tool being used.

Preferably the handle section may include a movable or deformablesensing element which is moved or deformed by the mechanical coding ofthe cleaning tool as the latter is being seated onto the handle section.Depending on the coding, the sensing element is moved or deformed by apredetermined amount or in a predetermined direction. The sensingelement produces a signal responsive to the movement or deformation sothat the coding can be detected. The sensing element may also beconfigured in such manner that it senses a force that the coding exertsas the cleaning tool is being seated onto the handle section. This canbe accomplished, for example, by a piezoelectric design of the sensingelement in which the sensing element is active itself to deliver asignal. To obtain a particularly simple configuration the sensingelement may be constructed as a preferably electromechanical contactmember. This member, upon being correspondingly deformed or moved by thecoding of the cleaning tool, then opens or preferably closes one orseveral contacts so that a corresponding signal is produced.

The sensing element may be configured in such a manner that it isdeformed to different degrees or moved in different directionsresponsive to the coding of the attached cleaning tool, correspondinglyclosing different contacts or a different number of contacts.

In a further aspect of the invention provision is made for severalsensing elements so that different codifications of the cleaning toolscause different sensing elements or a different number of sensingelements to be actuated.

The sensing element or the sensing elements may be arranged so as to befreely accessible. In this arrangement the sensing element may bebrought into operative association directly with a corresponding codingelement of the cleaning tool. In an advantageous embodiment of theinvention the sensing element is indirectly actuatable. The sensingelement may be disposed in the interior of a housing of the handlesection which may have a deformable portion, for example in the form ofa soft plastic portion, through which the sensing element can beactuated. This enables a sealed, in particular fluid-tight constructionof the handle section to be obtained.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention the coding detectiondevice may include a movable probe element which is moved by the codingof the cleaning tool during its seating engagement with the handlesection. The coding detection device includes a motion sensor thatdetects the movement of the probe element advantageously in terms ofamount and/or magnitude. The different coding of different cleaningtools is preferably designed so as to effect movements of the probeelement of different magnitude and/or in different directions as thecleaning tool is being attached to the handle section. Provision may bemade for several probe elements so that individual probe elements ordifferent combinations of probe elements can be actuated by differentlyarranged coding sections of the cleaning tools.

Various configurations are possible for the motion sensor. It mayoperate optically, for example, in the manner of a light barrier. It mayalso detect the force exerted on the probe element by a respectivecoding. Preferably a sensing element of the type described in theforegoing may find application, which in this case is actuatedindirectly, that is, through the probe element.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention resides in thatthe probe element is the drive shaft of the drive mechanism arranged inthe handle section for driving the cleaning tool. The drive shaft may bemounted in longitudinally displaceable fashion so that it is pushed intothe interior of the handle section by the coding of the cleaning tool asit is being seated onto the handle section. The use of the drive shaftas probe element obviates the need for any specific additionalarrangements with regard to the sealing of the handle section.

As coding the cleaning tool preferably has an actuating surface, inparticular a pressure application surface, which is constructed andarranged such as to make engagement with an engagement surface of thecoding detection device when the cleaning tool is seated onto the handlesection, exerting a defined effect on said surface. The actuatingsurface and the engagement surface thus form interacting surfaces.Provision may be made for actuating surfaces of different coding toexert different effects on the same engagement surface, moving it, forexample, a greater or lesser amount. Provision may further be made fordifferent actuating surfaces to act on different engagement surfaces,thereby enabling the coding to be read. The engagement surface on thehandle section may be disposed directly on the sensing elementpreviously described or, alternatively, on the probe element likewisedescribed in the foregoing or like reacting member, in particular on thedrive shaft of the handle section. In the last mentioned instance theactuating surface is preferably provided on a drive shaft section of thedrive shaft provided in the cleaning tool. This arrangement isparticularly advantageous because it makes use of the already existingcoupling sections provided for the coupling of cleaning tool and handlesection to detect the respective cleaning tool, thus obviating the needto provide and process additional mechanical coupling sections. Thecoupling section on the cleaning tool is coded by means and in the formof an actuating surface or coded differently to exert a defined effect,particularly a defined actuating motion, on the coupling section of thehandle section, which for this purpose is provided with a correspondingengagement surface.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention the coding detectiondevice is of the noncontacting type. This has the advantage of avoidingmalfunctions due to contaminated contact surfaces or wear resulting fromfrequent attachment and disengagement operations.

According to a further aspect of the invention the handle section mayinclude a signal receiver or reacting member for receiving a codedsignal from the cleaning tool. The handle section may also possess asignal transmitter or acting member emitting an interrogation oractivation signal to the cleaning tool which responds by sending thecoded signal back. The emission of the coded signal by the cleaning toolmay take place actively by a corresponding signal transmitter. Thepossibility also exists for passive reflection to take place on thecleaning tool, which produces a corresponding coding of the signal.

The coding of the cleaning tools and the corresponding detection of suchcoding may be implemented in a further variety of ways. According to apreferred embodiment of the invention provision is made for a magneticsensor that detects a magnetic coding of the respective cleaning toolattached to the handle section. The magnetic coding of the cleaning toolmay take place by introducing an individually different number ofmagnetic particles as acting member into a portion of the cleaning tool.The magnetic sensor may be of different configurations. According to apreferred embodiment of the invention the handle section includes asreacting member a Hall sensor that provides an electrical signalcorresponding to the magnetic coding of the respective cleaning tool.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention the handlesection may include an LC oscillator which is detuned by the magneticcoding of the attached cleaning tool, thus supplying differentfrequencies assignable to the individual users.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention resides in theprovision of reed contacts on the handle section which are actuatedindividually when the cleaning tools are attached to the handle section.Depending on the combination of contacts actuated, a specific user canbe identified. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of theinvention provision may be made for an optical sensor for detecting anoptical coding of the respective cleaning tool attached to the handlesection. As optical coding a color code may be provided on the cleaningtool which is identified by a color sensor.

Advantageously the handle section may also be equipped with one orseveral optical waveguides exiting from the handle section and emittingan optical signal. The light signal delivered to the cleaning tool iscoded by the tool and returned to the handle section which receives thiscoded signal by means of a corresponding sensor or detector and convertsit, receiving it by means of corresponding optical waveguides andtransmitting it to a corresponding sensor. The coding may take place bydefined interruption or partial obstruction of the optical waveguidesexiting from the handle section. Moreover, the light exiting from thehandle section through the optical waveguide can be reflecteddifferently by the toothbrush. A specific user can be identifieddepending on the intensity of the reflection.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention provision maybe made for a capacitive sensor for detecting a capacitive coding of therespective cleaning tool attached. In particular the handle section mayhave two or more capacitor plates whose capacitance is varied by theintroduction of a dielectric provided on the cleaning tool. The codingof the cleaning tools may be performed by different dielectric portionson the respective cleaning tool. A specific user is then identifiable inaccordance with the variation in capacitance.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the detection device provisionis made for a preferably electrically operating sensor for detecting anelectrical coding of the respective cleaning tool attached. The cleaningtool sends a coded electrical signal to the handle section, meaning to asignal receiver provided thereon, thus enabling the respective user orthe respective cleaning tool to be identified. It is also possible forthe handle section to send initially an interrogation signal to thecleaning tool, which signal is coded by the cleaning tool andsubsequently sent back.

In a further aspect of the invention provision may be made for a radiodevice for detecting the respective cleaning tool attached by means ofelectromagnetic waves. In particular a transponder may be associatedwith the cleaning tool. The handle section initially emitselectromagnetic waves for energy supply to the transponder. Thetransponder stores the energy and sends an individual identificationback to a detector in the handle section which detects it andcorrespondingly identifies the respective user or cleaning tool. Thecharacteristic features of the cleaning tool thus include the provisionof a magnetic, electrical, capacitive, electromagnetic and/or mechanicalcoding device. Another characteristic feature may include the provisionof a signal receiver for receiving a signal from the dental cleaningdevice and a signal transmitter for transmitting a coded signal to thedental cleaning device, with a coding device being inserted between thesignal receiver and the signal transmitter for coding the receivedsignal.

The coding device is preferably constructed as an integral part of thecleaning tool. However, it can also be designed as a separate componentsuitable for detachment from the remaining part of the cleaning tool orfor replacement. This affords the advantage of requiring only a singlemold for the manufacture of the cleaning tool. By mounting the separatecoding device the cleaning tools are coded on an individual basis andassignable to a particular user.

The coding device is arranged preferably in the area of the connectionbetween the cleaning tool and the handle section. This facilitates thereading of the coding by the recognition device on the handle section.In particular the coding device may be integrated in a ring arranged atthe end of the cleaning tool close to the handle section, being inparticular snap-fittable thereto by positive engagement therewith. Thevarious configurations of the recognition devices may be providedsingularly or in combination. The same applies to the variousconfigurations of the coding device on the cleaning tool.

In summary, the present invention provides an electromotive toothbrushcomprised of a handle section and one or more user-specific attachmentsas, for example, brush attachments or the like, with the handle sectionand the brush attachment fitted to the handle section communicating witheach other. The brush sections or cleaning tools may be of variousdesigns including, for example, a child's toothbrush with soft bristles,an adult's toothbrush with hard bristles, an interproximal brush or thelike, with each of these cleaning tools of different design for theintended application being assigned to a specific user. Hence a handlesection usable by each user is provided, onto which user-specificcleaning tools of like or different design are plugged in order to carefor or clean the respective user's teeth by means of the user-specificcleaning tool(s). The cleaning tools have an acting member or a codingcommunicating with a reacting member or a coding detection device in thehandle section. Thus, by suitably designing the acting member(s) orcoding device in the cleaning tool it is possible to inform the handlesection, by way of communication between the coding device and thecoding detection device, which user-specific cleaning tool, be it aninterproximal cleaning tool, a toothbrush or some other cleaning tool,is currently plugged on the handle section. This possibility ofdetecting the user-specific or cleaning-tool-specific data of theparticular cleaning tool attached to the handle section provides theprerequisite for the handle section to be able to operate the attachedcleaning tool on a user- or cleaning-tool-specific basis. Thus it ispossible to set, for example, the cleaning period, the cleaning speed orsimilar cleaning-specific parameters on a user- andcleaning-tool-specific basis by means of the handle section. Furthermoreit is possible to detect user- or cleaning-tool-specific data in termsof the cleaning operation, which data can be stored, for example, inuser- or cleaning-tool-specific memories of the handle section or can beindicated on a display. The present invention not only protects a methodof detecting the respective cleaning tool attached to the handle sectionof the electric toothbrush on a user- or cleaning-tool-specific basis,but also the handle section of the electromotive toothbrush as well asthe related cleaning tool, with each of the last-mentioned items beingconsidered singularly.

Further objects, advantages, features and application possibilities ofthe present invention will become apparent from the subsequentdescription of several embodiments illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. It will be understood that any features described and/orrepresented by illustration, whether used singularly or in anymeaningful combination, form the subject-matter of the presentinvention, irrespective of their summary in the claims or their backreference.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric toothbrush having a handlesection and a brush attachment attachable thereto;

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the handle sectionof the electric toothbrush of FIG. 1, showing arranged in the housingthereof the drive motor with gearing and drive shaft, the storagebattery for the drive motor and the charging module for the storagebattery;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an electric toothbrush, showing a magneticcoding of the brush attachment and a Hall sensor for detecting thecoding according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional detail view of the toothbrush of FIG. 3, showingthe arrangement of the Hall sensor and the magnetic coding of the brushattachment which is coupled to the handle section;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an electric toothbrush having amagnetically coded brush attachment and an LC oscillator in the handlesection to detect the coding according to a further preferred embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional detail view of the toothbrush of FIG. 5, showingthe arrangement of the LC oscillator and the magnetic coding of thebrush attachment which is coupled to the handle section;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an electric toothbrush having amagnetically coded brush attachment and a handle section with reedcontacts to detect the coding according to a further preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional detail view of the toothbrush of FIG. 7, showingthe arrangement of the reed contacts and the magnetic coding of thebrush attachment which is coupled to the handle section;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an electric toothbrush having an opticallycoded brush attachment and a handle section with optical waveguidesaccording to a further preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional detail view of a toothbrush similar to FIG. 9,showing the arrangement of a light emitter and a light detector in thehandle section and a coding of the brush attachment in the form of anoptical waveguide, with the brush attachment and the handle sectionbeing shown in coupled condition;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the optical waveguides at the end, closeto the handle section, of the brush attachment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional detail view of a toothbrush similar to FIG. 10,showing the arrangement of a light emitter and a light detector in theform of a single integrated component in the handle section and a codingof the brush attachment in the form of an optical waveguide, with thebrush attachment and the handle section being shown in coupledcondition;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an electric toothbrush having anoptically coded brush attachment and a handle section with color sensorfor identification of the coding of the brush attachment according to afurther preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a sectional detail view of the toothbrush of FIG. 13, showingthe arrangement of the color sensor in the handle section and the colorcode of the brush attachment which is coupled to the handle section;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an electric toothbrush having a brushattachment coded mechanically by its shape in accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the toothbrush of FIG. 15, showing thebrush attachment as it is being coupled to the handle section;

FIG. 17 is a sectional detail view of the toothbrush of FIGS. 15 and 16,showing the arrangement of the coding projections on the brushattachment and the sensing elements in the form of electromechanicalcontacts for sensing the coding projections, with the brush attachmentand the handle section being shown in coupled condition;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an electric toothbrush having anelectromagnetically coded brush attachment with a transponder bondedthereto by adhesion and a corresponding detection device in the handlesection according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the toothbrush of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a sectional detail view of a toothbrush similar to FIGS. 18and 19, showing the arrangement of a transponder chip in a coding ringprovided at the end of the brush attachment, and a transmitter coil anda receiver coil together with an associated electronic evaluation devicein the handle section, with the brush attachment and the handle sectionbeing shown in coupled condition;

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of an electric toothbrush having acapacitively coded brush attachment and capacitor plates in the handlesection to detect the coding of the brush attachment according to afurther preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a detail view, in longitudinal section, of the toothbrush ofFIG. 21, showing the arrangement of the dielectric portion of the brushattachment and the capacitor plates in the handle section, with thebrush attachment and the handle section being shown in coupledcondition;

FIG. 23 is a detail view, in cross section, of the toothbrush takenalong the line A-A of FIG. 22, showing the arrangement of the dielectricportion of the brush attachment and the capacitor plates in the handlesection;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of a handle section having a longitudinallydisplaceable drive shaft and an electromechanical sensing element fordetecting the displacement of the drive shaft according to a furtherpreferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of the handle section of FIG. 23, showingthe brush attachment in coupled condition.

The electric toothbrush shown in the Figures has a handle section 1 witha closed housing 26 accommodating, among other components and asillustrated in FIG. 2, in a manner known in the art an electric motor23, a storage battery 24 adapted to be coupled to a charging stationthrough a charging module 25 disposed at the bottom, and a controldevice 27 which may possess a printed circuit board or microprocessor.Various brush attachments 2 are seatable upon the end of the handlesection 1. By means of a coupling device 3 the brush attachment 2 can bemechanically coupled to the handle section 1 in order to transmit thedriving motion of the electric motor to the bristle head 4 of the brushattachment 2. The coupling device 3 comprises a positive-engagementelement for positioning the cleaning tool body in its proper locationand, in addition, a drive coupling which transmits the driving motion ofthe drive to the bristle head of the brush attachment. Protruding fromthe end of the handle section 1 is a drive shaft 28 adapted to be drivenby the drive motor 23 via a gearing 29 in a manner equally known in theart. The drive shaft 28 has a coupling section 30 adapted to receive bypositive engagement therewith a complementary coupling section of adrive shaft arranged in the cleaning tool 2, so that the driving motionis transmitted, enabling the bristle head 31 of the brush attachment tobe driven in an oscillating manner.

To identify the individual brush attachment 2 when attached, provisionis made on the handle section for a coding detection device 5. Accordingto FIG. 3 a Hall sensor 6 is provided at the coupling end of the handlesection 1 in order to read, meaning identify, a magnetic coding 7 on thebrush attachment 2. The magnetic coding 7 is formed by a slip-on ring 8provided at the coupling end of the brush attachment 2. The slip-on ring8 is available in a variety of colors containing, depending on thecolor, a different number of magnetic particles or magnetic bodiesdiffering in number, magnetic orientation and/or magnetic fieldstrength. As FIG. 4 shows, the slip-on ring 8 may be positioned in itsproper location on the body of the brush attachment advantageously bypositive engagement therewith, being in particular snap-fitted thereto.This connection may be constructed such that the ring 8 is securable tothe body of the brush attachment in only one predetermined orientationrelative thereto. The Hall sensor 6 in the handle section 1 supplies asignal correlating with the number of magnetic particles or thearrangement of the magnetic bodies, the value of this signal identifyingthe respective brush attachment 2, and hence a specific user, and beingsuitable for further processing by the control device in the handlesection 1. The color of the slip-on ring 8 makes it easy to rememberwhich brush attachment 2 is assigned to which user.

As FIG. 4 shows, the magnetic coding 7 and the Hall sensor 6 aredisposed at the coupling ends of the brush attachment and the handlesection, respectively, lying advantageously opposite each other in orderto enable an accurate detection to be accomplished.

The electric toothbrushes according to the further embodimentsillustrated in FIG. 5 ff. are constructed basically in the same way asthe toothbrush illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that like components areassigned like reference numerals, and the subsequent description dealsonly with the different implementations of the coding 7 of the brushattachments 2 and the corresponding coding detection devices 5 on thehandle section 1. In the electric toothbrush illustrated in FIGS. 5 and6 the brush attachment 2 carries likewise a slip-on ring 8 which isavailable in various colors and contains magnetic particles differing innumber depending on the color. To detect the magnetic coding of thebrush attachment 2, the recognition device 5 has an LC oscillator 9which is disposed at the coupling end of the handle section 1 anddetuned by the magnetic material in the brush attachment 2, therebysupplying different frequencies assignable to the brush attachments orits users. The corresponding frequency signals are further processed bythe control device in the handle section 1 in order to set thecorresponding operating parameters or to process and indicate theuser-specific data.

As FIG. 6 shows, the LC oscillator has a coil 136 and a capacitor 32that are both disposed in the coupling end region of the handle section.The coil is arranged directly at the end. It may be mounted on ashoulder or the like of a handle section chassis. The capacitor ispositioned underneath the coil which faces the coding ring 8. Thisenables the coding to be detected with precise accuracy.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of an electric toothbrush in which theslip-on ring 8 of the brush attachment 2 is provided with magneticmaterial only at defined locations on its circumference (cf. FIG. 7 a).The recognition device 5 comprises reed contacts 10 (cf. FIG. 8)arranged in the handle section 1 at the handle end close to the couplingdevice 3. When the brush attachment 2 is seated down onto the handlesection 1, defined actuation of the reed contacts 10 takes place inaccordance with the magnetic coding of the slip-on ring 8. Depending onthe combination of contacts actuated, a specific user can be identified.Here too, the slip-on ring 8 is a colored ring to make it easier for theuser to identify his or her assigned brush.

For enhanced response of the reed contacts, the magnetic ring 8 and thereed contacts 10 have their respective ends in relative oppositearrangement.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of an electric toothbrush in which thebrush attachment 2 is detected optically. The recognition device 5comprises in the handle section 1 one or several optical waveguides 11exiting at the coupling end of the handle section and experiencingdefined interruptions or partial obstructions by the brush attachment 2.The brush attachment 2 returns the light signal emitted from the opticalwaveguides 11 to the handle section 1 in coded form, the coded lightsignal being directed through optical waveguides 12 to a sensor 13 whichdetects whether and in which intensity light was returned and issues acorresponding recognition signal enabling the brush attachment to beassigned to a user. For coding and returning the light signal the brushattachment 2 may possess a preferably likewise colored slip-on ring 8 inwhich corresponding optical waveguides 14 are provided (cf. FIG. 9 a).According to a further variant the light emitted from the handle section1 through the optical waveguide 11 is reflected individually by thebrush attachment 2 or a correspondingly coded slip-on ring 8. Dependingon the intensity of reflection a particular user can be identified.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an advantageous variant of the toothbrush ofFIG. 9 with optical coding of the brush attachment and correspondingdetection of the coding by the handle section 1. Provided in the handlesection 1 directly at its coupling end are a light emitter 33 and incircumferentially offset position a light detector 34 which, through alight exit opening 35 and a light entrance opening 36 provided at theend of the handle housing 26, look at the coupled brush attachment 2.The light exit and light entrance openings may be closed by atransparent material to obtain a closed construction of the housing 26.Both the emitter 33 and the detector 34 are connected to the control andevaluation device 27 of the handle section 1. As FIG. 11 shows, theslip-on ring 8 of the brush attachment 2 accommodates an opticalwaveguide 37 receiving the light emitted by the emitter 33 through alight entrance opening 38 (cf. FIG. 10), coding it and returning itthrough a light exit opening 39 in the slip-on ring 8 to the detector 34in the handle section. The light may be guided in a variety of ways,particularly by reflection. In this case the optical waveguide may beconfigured as a reflector. The signal issued by the light detector canbe evaluated by the control device of the handle section 1 to identifythe respective brush attachment. The optical waveguide 37 extends in theslip-on ring 8 in an approximately arcuate configuration (cf. FIG. 11).To increase the possibilities of coding, multiple light processingdevices may be provided. FIG. 11 shows a second optical waveguide 40.Coding may be performed by selection of a particular one of multiplelight detectors to which the respective optical waveguide returns thereceived light. Coding may also be performed by the optical waveguidesmodifying or processing the received light in different ways, inparticular reflecting it in different intensities. This is thenconverted into a corresponding signal by the light detector.

FIG. 12 shows a further variant of optical coding. The light emitter 41and the light detector 42 are constructed as an integral component. Apartition wall 43 is preferably provided to separate the light entranceand light exit openings from each other. The light may be coded inparticular by different magnitudes of reflection.

The embodiment of an electric toothbrush illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14has similar to the preceding embodiments a colored slip-on ring 8 at theend of the brush attachment 2 close to the coupling section 30. Thehandle section 1 has as recognition device 5 a color sensor 15 disposedat the coupling end of the handle section 1 and oriented in thedirection of the colored slip-on ring 8. The color sensor 15 detects thecolor of the slip-on ring 8, enabling the respective brush attachment oruser of the toothbrush to be determined. Conveniently, the color sensoris arranged directly at the coupling end of the handle section 1 andoriented in the direction of the ring 8 when the brush attachment sitson the handle section 1. The color of the slip-on ring 8 preferably hasfluorescent properties or other properties increasing the lightintensity, thereby enabling the color of the slip-on ring 8 to berecognized by the color sensor 15 reliably.

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate an embodiment of an electric toothbrushin which the brush attachments 2 are recognized mechanically. Thecolored slip-on ring 8 at the end of the brush attachment 2 is anindividually shaped coding body having projections 16 or recesses in theform of ribs or grooves. According to one embodiment of the inventionthe shaped bodies extend as projections from the end of the brushattachment, in particular essentially parallel to the longitudinal axisof the brush attachment. At the opposite end of the handle section 1provision is made for elastically deformable sensing elements in theform of mechanical contacts 17 which are subjected to individual anddefined actuation by the brush attachment 2, meaning the projections 16on the slip-on ring 8, so that the respective brush attachment 2 isidentified according to the combination of actuated contacts. The shapedcoding bodies 16 have for this purpose actuating or pressure applicationsurfaces which are arranged, oriented and/or configured such as todepress the sensing element a predetermined amount when the brushattachment is seated down on the handle section. The sensing elementsgenerate a signal responsive to the amount of depression, in thesimplest case an on-off signal according to the contacting of thecontact sections provided at the sensing elements' ends. Actuation ofthe mechanical contacts 17 can be checked preferably electrically. Tocover the mechanical contacts 17 and shield them against the environmenta soft membrane 18 may be placed over the mechanical contacts 17 at theend of the handle section 1, through which membrane the mechanicalcontacts 17 can be actuated by the projections 16. To accomplish thisthe housing 26 may be a two-component injection molded part fabricatedfrom hard and soft plastics material.

FIGS. 18 to 20 illustrate a further embodiment of an electric toothbrushin which the respective brush attachment 2 is detected, i.e., identifiedby means of radio signals. The brush attachment 2 is equipped with atransponder 19 which may be bonded by adhesion to the brush attachment 2in the form of a label referred to as smart label (FIG. 19).Advantageously, the transponder 19 may also be contained in the coloredslip-on ring 8 at the end of the brush attachment 2 (cf. FIGS. 18 a and20). Provided in the handle section 1 is a detector 20 tuned to thetransponder 19 and serving as both a signal transmitter and a signalreceiver. Via the coil 45 the detector 20 in the handle section 1initially emits electromagnetic waves to the coil 44 connected to thetransponder 19 in order to supply power to the transponder 19 or itsmicrochip. The transponder stores the energy and sends a specificidentification back to the detector 20 which receives saididentification, identifies it by means of its electronic evaluationdevice 46 and delivers a corresponding signal to the control device 27of the handle section 1. The coils 44 and 45 hence serve as bothtransmitter and receiver facility. They are disposed in relativeopposite arrangement at the ends of the brush attachment 2 and thehandle section 1, respectively (cf. FIG. 20). The identification sentback by the transponder 19 enables the brush attachment 2, and hence itsuser, to be identified.

In the embodiment of an electric toothbrush illustrated in FIGS. 21, 22and 23, identification of the brush attachment 2 is performedcapacitively. Provided in the handle section 1 are two or more capacitorplates 21 between which a dielectric 22 is insertable to vary thecapacitance of the capacitor formed by the capacitor plates 21. Thedielectric 22 is arranged at the end of the brush attachment 2, and itmay be in particular part of a slip-on ring 8 fittable to the brushattachment 2. The dielectric portion 22 extends preferably approximatelyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush attachment, approximatelyparallel to its circumferential surface. Provided in the circumferentialsurface of the handle housing 26 is an indentation 47 open towards theend and having the form of a longitudinally parallel groove suitable forengagement by the dielectric portion 22 of the brush attachment as it isbeing coupled to the handle section 1. The capacitor plates 21 aredisposed in the interior of the housing 26 on either side of theindentation referred to so that the dielectric comes to lie between thecapacitor plates. The use of different dielectrics makes it possible tocode the brush attachments 2 individually. Depending on the capacitanceor the variation in capacitance by the different dielectrics, thecorresponding brush attachment 2 and hence its user can be identified.In an arrangement involving several capacitors, a coding is alsoobtainable by the arrangement and/or number of dielectrics.

FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate a specific embodiment of the inventioninvolving a brush attachment coded mechanically, that is, by its shape,and a mechanical detection of this coding. The coding of the brushattachment is part of its coupling section 48 used for coupling thedrive train 49 in the brush section with the drive shaft 28 in thehandle section, to be more precise, with the coupling section 30thereof. As FIG. 25 shows, the body of the brush attachment is seatedonto a brush mount 50 of the handle section 1 with an exact fit so thatthe brush attachment sits firmly on the handle section 1. By means ofdetent noses and corresponding recesses the brush attachment is securedin place by making positive engagement with the handle section, that is,its brush mount. Axial securing can be accomplished also by frictionalengagement. When the brush attachment is pushed onto its mount, thecoupling sections 48 and 30 in the drive train also make interfittingengagement. The coupling sections are formed by a shaft stub and acomplementary recess in the form of a blind-end hole in the oppositeshaft end, thus enabling the shaft stub to be an exact fit within theblind-end type shaft bore. Torque transmission takes place preferably bypositive engagement.

The coupling sections have complementary mating surfaces 51 and 52,preferably in the form of a flattening on the drive shaft 28 and acorresponding bore secant surface in the recess 53 of the drive shaftportion 54 of the brush attachment. A spline or a splined-shaft profilemay also be provided for torque transmission.

The brush attachment, in particular the coupling section 48, has ascoding an actuating surface 55 which in coupled condition is inengagement with an associated engagement surface on the handle section1, in particular on the coupling section 30 of the drive shaft 28. Theactuating surface 55 mates with the engagement surface 56 in such mannerthat a predetermined interaction occurs between these two surfaces incoupled condition. In particular the actuating surface 55 is arrangedand aligned so as to exert a predetermined pressure on the engagementsurface 56. To be able to read or scan the configuration of theactuating surface 55, the associated engagement surface 56 is formed ona movable probe element, producing as interaction a predeterminedmovement of the probe element. It will be understood that it is alsopossible to detect a force, but a movement can be detected with greaterease. Different configurations of the actuating surfaces 56 aretranslated into different movements of the associated engagement surface56 of the probe element.

As probe element the drive shaft 28 of the handle section isadvantageously used. The drive shaft is mounted longitudinallydisplaceably and preferably biased into protrusion from the handlesection by means of biasing members. When the brush attachment 2 isseated down on the handle section the brush attachment's actuatingsurface 55 urges the drive shaft 28 a predetermined distance into theinterior of the handle section 1. The displacement is detected by amotion sensor which may embody a variety of configurations, beingoperable for example as a light barrier. Other displacement sensors mayalso be employed. Preferably provision may be made for an elasticallydeformable sensing element with electromechanical contact of the typepreviously described with reference to FIG. 17. The drive shaft 28preferably sits with a lug, preferably with its end remote from thecoupling section 30, on the sensing element 57. The sensing element mayat the same time serve as biasing member. When the drive shaft 28 ispressed down, the sensing element produces a corresponding signal, inparticular opening or closing a corresponding contact. By suitablyconstructing the sensor or sensing element or multiple sensing elementsthe coding of the brush attachment can be read.

As FIG. 25 shows, the actuating surface 55 is formed by the bottomsurface of the blind-end type recess 53 in the brush attachment's driveshaft. The associated engagement surface is formed by the end of thedrive shaft 28. While being reversible, this arrangement is preferablyconfigured as illustrated.

Alternative embodiments of the actuating and engagement surfaces 55 and56, respectively, are possible. In a further aspect of the inventionprovision may be made for conical mating surfaces. Other configurationsmay also be contemplated.

1. A method of using an oral-care system, comprising: transmitting acoding from a coding device associated with a first brushing surfacereceiving the coding from the coding device with a coding-detectiondevice associated with a handle; and displaying information on a displayin response to the coding-detection device detecting the coding, whereinthe information is selected from the group consisting of applicationpressure, a tooth-cleaning time period of about 2 minutes or about 3minutes, a time interval between cleaning operations, and anycombination thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step oftransmitting a coding the coding device is selected from the groupconsisting of a radio-signal transmitter, a magnet, a reflectingsurface, and any combination thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinin the step of receiving the coding the coding-detection device isselected from the group consisting of a magnetic detector, aradio-signal detector, an optical detector, and any combination thereof.